Colin Kaepernick Reviews 49ers Opening Drive

Kaepernick led a scoring drive in his one series against a physical Ravens defense. It was the only points the 49ers would score in their preseason opener.

BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Ravens won the preseason matchup, but the competitions with the San Francisco 49ers are just getting started.

Starting Saturday, both teams will practice for three straight days at the Ravens training facility in Owings Mills, Md.

But before the 49ers can look ahead to the upcoming practices, Colin Kaepernick reviewed his preseason performance in a 23-3 loss to the the AFC North power.

Kaepernick led a seven-play scoring drive in his one series against a physical Ravens defense. It was the only points the 49ers scored in their preseason opener.

“Still ended up in the red zone with an opportunity to score a touchdown, so that’s all that really matters,” Kaepernick said. “The biggest thing for us is that we’re trying to put points on the board, regardless of how we get there.”

Kaepernick will get more work against the respected Baltimore defense. It's a welcomed opportunity for San Francisco's signal-caller. He said the joint training camp sessions are “very much” being anticipated by the 49ers.

“When you go against each other for so long, you’re ready to go against other people,” the fourth-year pro said. “You start picking up on player’s tendencies on your own team and they pick up on yours.

“It’s different than being in the game where you have that unknown of how the players really play and how they’re going to react to different things. Getting the practices in with them this week will help with that.”

Kaepernick didn't see much action on Thursday night. He attempted two passes on his only drive. The first throw was negated by a roughing the passer penalty on Ravens defensive lineman Pernell McPhee. The roughing penalty on McPhee caused Kaepernick to throw sooner than he wanted to his intended target.

“I kind of felt him coming,” Kaepernick said. “I wanted to get the ball out of my hands quick. I saw Stevie (Johnson) beat his guy. I didn’t get to make the throw I wanted, but the play worked out good for us.”

Kaepernick’s only completion and only official attempt in the stat book was a 17-yard pass to second-year tight end Vance McDonald. Carlos Hyde provided much of the spark on the opening drive. He carried the ball three times and accounted for 34 of the 66 yards on the opening possession.

Kaepernick was impressed.

“Carlos Hyde looked really good, ran explosively, made great decisions, had the speed to hit the edge and creased some things inside,” the 49ers quarterback said.

The first-team offense eventually stalled on the 6-yard line when Jewel Hampton was stopped for a 1-yard loss on a 3rd-and-1 play.